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Fraser JM, Bradford JM, Pritchard C, Moulden HM. Childhood Sexual Abuse by Women of Boys Who Go On to Sexually Offend: Review and Critical Analysis. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2024; 26:45-52. [PMID: 38329571 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-024-01486-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sexual offending perpetrated by women has historically been overlooked and understudied, and the potentially unique impact of that abuse is even more so. RECENT FINDINGS Women who have sexually offended against children typically do so against older boys, use little or no forms of force or coercion during the abuse, and are unlikely to be prosecuted or sentenced following the abuse. Boys whom women have sexually abused are unlikely to report or disclose the abuse that they have experienced, perhaps because social structures surrounding sexual abuse of boys by women are designed to minimize, excuse, or even encourage such sexual contact. The intersection of these unique features may help understand the role of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by women in subsequent sexual offending among adult men. Men who have sexually offended experience high rates of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by women. The relationship between experienced sexual abuse and subsequent perpetration of sexual abuse is neither linear nor causal; however, the characteristics associated with this form of abuse, such as non-disclosure and lack of sentencing, may contribute to adulthood sexual maladjustment and vulnerability to offending among men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Fraser
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - John M Bradford
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Chanie Pritchard
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Integrated Forensic Program, Royal Ottawa Healthcare Group, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Heather M Moulden
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, West 5th Campus, 100 West 5th Street, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Reingold OH, Goldner L. "It was wrapped in a kind of normalcy": The lived experience and consequences in adulthood of survivors of female child sexual abuse. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 139:106125. [PMID: 36870267 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors' surveys on the frequency of sexual offenses committed by women indicated a prevalence rate of 9.9 % to 11.6 %. Nevertheless, only a few studies have explored the long-term consequences of abuse on survivors. OBJECTIVES Examine the lived experiences and the long-term consequences of child sexual abuse committed by women. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen adult participants who experienced child sexual abuse conducted by female offenders participated in the study. METHODS The Interpretive Phenomenological Approach was applied to semi-structured interviews. RESULTS Three central themes emerged: types of abuse, characteristics of the perpetrator, and consequences of abuse. Most survivors experienced direct or indirect forms of sexual abuse committed by their mothers. In most cases, the offenders masked their abuse in caregiving, disciplinary or playful behavior. The survivors perceived their mothers as narcissistic, controlling, hostile, and having tremendous difficulties with separation. The survivors reported the need to engage in extensive negative long-lasting psychopathologies, which they attributed partly to having been invalidated and silenced by society. Many participants expressed fears of re-enacting the survivor or perpetrator role, which has led to difficulties in various relationships. They described an altered perception of their bodies as shameful and repulsive, manifesting in self-harm, eating disorders, and the elimination of signs of femininity. CONCLUSION This complex form of sexual abuse hampers the internalization and the construction of positive feminine, masculine, and parental identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ortal Herzig Reingold
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Limor Goldner
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel.
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Burgstedt C, Beeby A, Hayne H, Hobbs L, Gross J, Patterson T. Does Gender Affect Judges' Perceptions of Sexual Assault Cases? JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:NP466-NP508. [PMID: 35435767 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221085034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is growing recognition that females engage in harmful sexual behaviour that is similar in severity and type to males. Existing research, however, suggests that there is a bias towards leniency in judicial systems for female sexual offenders (FSOs) in comparison to male sexual offenders (MSOs). Specifically, FSOs receive shorter sentences than do MSOs and are less likely to be sentenced to prison. The majority of research examining disparity in sentence outcomes for FSOs have been analysed through a quantitative lens. Qualitative methodology is also needed to understand any subjective differences in the way that judges perceive case-relevant factors and whether these perceptions differ as a function of the offender's gender. The present study is a qualitative study that examined judges' perceptions and descriptions of FSO compared to MSO in 10 matched cases of sexual offending. The study found that although there were many similarities in how judges perceived FSO compared to MSO, there were also unique differences that could explain more lenient sentences for FSOs (i.e. the vulnerability, poor mental health and adverse backgrounds of FSOs). Other unique differences found were that judges' perception of FSOs behaviour was described as depraved and cruel, whereas MSOs similar behaviour was not described in such an emotive way. The present study provides additional insight into the reasons for a bias towards leniency for FSOs. In particular, it points towards judicial focus on particular personal circumstances that are seen as relevant in sentencing FSOs but not for MSOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Burgstedt
- Department of Psychology, 26527Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Amy Beeby
- Department of Psychological Medicine, 2495University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Harlene Hayne
- Department of Psychology, 2495University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Linda Hobbs
- Department of Psychological Medicine, 2495University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Julien Gross
- Department of Psychology, 2495University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tess Patterson
- Department of Psychological Medicine, 2495University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Muniz CN, Powers RA. The Influence of Authority Role and Victim Gender on Perceptions of Female-Perpetrated Child Sexual Abuse. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2022; 27:550-560. [PMID: 34311553 DOI: 10.1177/10775595211033537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Child sexual abuse is often perceived differently based on characteristics of the victim and the perpetrator. However, unknown is whether variations in perceptions occur when the relationship to and gender of the victim are manipulated-particularly when the offender is a woman. The current study sought to explore whether authority role (neighbor, teacher, family, or clergy) and victim gender affect perceived outcomes for the victim. A factorial vignette design was used to randomly assign participants to one of eight conditions, and a series of analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted to assess differences in perceived victim outcomes for the vignettes. Results showed significant differences for authority role, victim gender, and the interactions between authority and victim gender for nearly all dependent variables. Respondents recognized that the scenarios presented were damaging and harmful; however, certain authority positions (i.e., teachers) were sexualized leading to diminished perceptions of negative outcomes, particularly for male victims.
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Xin Y, Cai T. Cooperative guardian offenders and sentencing outcomes: Evidence from criminal sentencing documents of child trafficking crime in China. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2022; 124:105449. [PMID: 34922261 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have revealed that guardians who sold their children for profit comprise the majority of child traffickers in China. Although sentencing disparity has been a focal topic in judicial studies, few scholars have investigated the influence of the guardian relationship on criminal sentencing for child trafficking. OBJECTIVE The current study sought a better understanding of sentencing practices on child traffickers in China, focusing on the effects of the victim-offender relationship (VOR) and post-crime attitudes (PCAs) on sentencing outcomes. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING We retrieved all available sentencing documents related to "the trafficking of children" during the 2014-2016 period from China Judgments Online. The analytic dataset contained 844 child traffickers who were sentenced to a fixed term imprisonment. METHODS A joint logistic and zero-truncated Poisson regression model was used to explore the main and interaction effects of VOR and PCAs on sentencing outcomes. RESULTS Guardian offenders received sentences that were 12% shorter than those of non-guardians and were more likely to be given 60-month sentences, which is the minimum of the first statutory sentencing range. Guardian offenders who voluntarily surrendered also had a much higher chance of probation. The odds ratio of receiving probation for guardian offenders who surrendered was approximately three times higher than that of non-guardian offenders who did not surrender. Surrendering also reduced the sentence length of guardian offenders by 22%. CONCLUSIONS Shorter sentences and a higher chance of probation suggest that the Chinese judicial system considers child trafficking crimes involving guardians to be low harm offenses that pose little danger to society. However, this practice of leniency for cooperative guardian offenders offers offenders pragmatic ways to avoid incarceration, and does not help to solve the problems of guardian offenders who really want to give up custody of their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyu Xin
- Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, 55, Guanghuacun Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Tianji Cai
- Department of Sociology, University of Macau, E21-3007, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, PR China.
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Sancak B, Tasdemir I, Karamustafalioglu O. Mother-daughter incest: A brief review of literature and case report. J Forensic Sci 2021; 66:2054-2059. [PMID: 34047360 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Parent-child incest is a traumatic event that causes long-term psychological consequences for victims. Although paternal incest is the most common form, it is known that mothers can also sexually abuse their children. Mother-daughter incest is a type of abuse that is thought to be rare. This article discusses a case of a mother who abused one of her 4-year-old twin daughters for masturbation and used them in a sexual fantasy with her partner. She was sent to the forensic psychiatric observation unit by the court to determine her criminal responsibility. In the literature on mother-daughter incest, the abuser's childhood traumas, early marriage, low self-esteem, and sense of worthlessness are frequently seen. Our case, who did not have a history of psychiatric illness, was referred to us with suspicion of mental illness simply because she abused her daughters. Researchers have found out that in most cases, contrary to common expectations, mothers did not have a severe mental illness. A gender-based approach to incest cases may contribute to the cycle of the abuse continue, and it makes it difficult for victims to speak up and seek help. More studies focused on perpetrators will expand our perception of mother-daughter incest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baris Sancak
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Atakent Hospital, Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ilker Tasdemir
- Ministry of Justice, The Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Oguz Karamustafalioglu
- Ministry of Justice, The Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences University Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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